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Summary
There are four types of fishing magnets: the single-sided fishing magnet, the double-sided fishing magnet, the allround 360° cylinder fishing magnet, and the allround 360° block fishing magnet. If you want the greatest catch potential and pulling force from every direction, choose an allround magnet such as the Terror Magnet® or a block magnet such as the CUBE™. If you are looking for a rugged, more affordable entry-level magnet, the X Line is the logical choice.
If you are getting started with magnet fishing, one of the first questions is: which fishing magnet do I actually need? There is a huge range of fishing magnets and accessories, which can make choosing the right one confusing. Fortunately, there are essentially only four types of fishing magnets. In this article, we go through them one by one, including their advantages and disadvantages, so you can decide which magnet best suits the way you fish.
What is a single-sided fishing magnet?
The single-sided fishing magnet, also known at Magnetar as the Classic fishing magnet, was the first type of fishing magnet in our range. It consists of a round magnet inside a steel housing, with a threaded mounting point on top where the eyebolt is attached. The magnet fishing rope is connected to this eyebolt. For a secure connection, you can fasten the eyebolt with thread locker.
Advantages:
- Very rugged and protected by its housing, making it suitable for rough water with rocks
- Easy to clean
- Maintains its pulling force
- Long service life
- High peak pulling force on flat metal objects
- Compact and easy to store and transport
- Available in a wide range of pulling forces
Disadvantages:
- Magnetic on only one side, which reduces the chance of making contact with an object
- Without thread locker, the eyebolt can loosen
What is a double-sided fishing magnet?
In 2017, Magnetar introduced its first double-sided fishing magnets under the Bulldog name. As the name suggests, these magnets attract metal from two sides. The design places magnetic surfaces on both flat sides of the housing, increasing the chance that a magnetic surface faces the bottom while you are fishing. Magnetar offers the Bulldog 500 and Bulldog 800. Both have two attachment points for the rope, allowing you to choose between horizontal and vertical fishing.
Advantages:
- Two magnetic surfaces, giving you a greater chance of making a catch than with Classic magnets
- Choice of two attachment points for horizontal or vertical fishing
- Very rugged and protected by the housing
- Easy to clean
- Long service life
- Can also be used as a dragging magnet from a boat
- High peak pulling force on flat metal objects
- A magnetic surface can remain oriented toward the bottom while dragging
Disadvantages:
- You need to choose which attachment point to connect the rope to
- Lower effective pulling force when fishing horizontally
- Smaller model range than some other Magnetar magnet types
What is an allround 360° cylinder fishing magnet?
The allround 360° cylinder fishing magnet is the best-known design in our allround fishing magnet range. This round magnet attracts metal from every direction, significantly increasing the chance of making contact with an object. The magnetic body is made from 100% neodymium rather than relying on a large steel housing around the magnet. A non-magnetic stainless-steel protective cover can also be used to help protect the magnet against impact damage while fishing. Magnetar’s allround cylinder range includes the Easy, Hardcore Magnet®, Terror Magnet®, Beast Magnet, and Barbarian Magnet.
If you want a lighter and more affordable cylindrical allround magnet that comes ready to use, the Magnetar X Line is another option, including the Beast X with 3,100 lb (1,400 kg) of combined pulling force and the Barbarian X with 3,500 lb (1,600 kg). These are not a separate type of fishing magnet. They are more compact, value-focused versions of the same allround cylinder concept and are supplied as complete, preassembled setups with rope, gloves, and a MagShield™ transport solution.
Advantages:
- Very high pulling force
- High catch potential because the magnet attracts metal through 360°
- Long service life
- Effective on round, flat, and rusty objects
- A magnetic surface is always facing toward nearby magnetic objects
- Can also be used while fishing from a boat
- Wide range of models and pulling forces
- Protective covers are available to help reduce impact damage during use
Disadvantages:
- Slightly harder to clean than a single-sided or double-sided magnet
- High pulling force can make stronger models less convenient to transport
- The exposed neodymium construction requires careful handling to prevent chipping or impact damage
What is an allround 360° block fishing magnet?
In addition to round allround magnets, Magnetar also offers allround 360° block magnets, including the CUBE™ and MEGACUBE™. Like the cylindrical allround magnets, these magnets attract objects from every direction, but they use a rectangular block shape instead of a round cylinder. Their flat sides can give a block magnet more stable contact with the bottom and a larger contact surface against some flat objects. These magnets are also designed around powerful neodymium magnetic material and are supplied in protected magnet-fishing setups.
If you want a more compact and affordable block magnet, the Magnetar X Line includes the CUBE X™ with 1,000 lb (450 kg) of combined pulling force and the MEGACUBE X™ with 2,000 lb (900 kg). Again, these are not a separate type of fishing magnet. They are lighter versions of the same protected block concept and come fully assembled and ready for use.
Advantages:
- Pulling force from every direction, just like cylindrical allround magnets
- Very high catch potential
- Large flat sides provide more contact area on flat objects
- The block shape can sit more steadily on uneven or sloped bottoms than a round magnet
- Long service life
- Protected construction
- Designed to withstand demanding magnet-fishing use
Disadvantages:
- The angular shape can be slightly harder to clean than a cylindrical magnet
- Smaller range of pulling-force options than the cylindrical allround line
Is a ferrite magnet a good choice for magnet fishing?
No, a ferrite magnet is not a good choice for serious magnet fishing. Ferrite is a lower-cost alternative to neodymium and is considerably weaker for the same general size. Ferrite magnets are often recognizable by their dark or black magnetic material. For magnet fishing, a purpose-built neodymium fishing magnet is the more suitable option.
There are four main types of fishing magnets: single-sided, double-sided, allround 360° cylinder, and allround 360° block magnets. Still unsure about the pulling force you need or which type best matches the way you fish? Choose the category below that best describes you to see our recommendation.
Child
The Kids Package 250 lb (110 kg), Single Sided is suitable for younger children, while the Kids Package 360°, 600 lb (280 kg) is an option for children age 7 and up under responsible adult supervision.
Why? These use lighter, more manageable magnets. The packages contain the main equipment needed to get started and can make a fun gift for children who will always magnet fish with adult supervision.
Beginner
The Hardcore Magnet® with 1,300 lb (600 kg) of combined pulling force is also available in the Pro Package and the Girl Power Kit.
Why? Its 360° attraction makes it a versatile allround choice with a strong balance between performance and price.
The Beast X with 3,100 lb (1,400 kg) of combined pulling force is an option for people who already know they want to continue magnet fishing and are physically comfortable handling a significantly stronger setup.
Why? It provides 360° attraction and remains capable enough for experienced magnet fishers as your skills develop. It comes fully assembled with a MagShield™ transport solution for convenient storage and transport.
Experienced
The Beast Magnet provides 3,100 lb (1,400 kg) of combined pulling force and is also available in the Legend Package. For even more pulling force, the Barbarian Magnet provides 3,500 lb (1,600 kg) and is included in the Savage Package.
Keep in mind: these are heavy, extremely powerful magnets. The current Beast weighs about 4.1 lb (1,880 g), and the Barbarian is designed as an even more demanding professional-level magnet. Repeated throwing can become tiring. If you prefer something easier to handle, consider the Terror Magnet® or Beast X.
Maximum catch potential
If you want maximum catch potential and a well-protected fishing magnet, consider the CUBE™ with 3,000 lb (1,350 kg) of combined pulling force or the MEGACUBE™ with 6,000 lb (2,700 kg).
Why? Their six magnetic sides create a large magnetic search field, while the protected block construction helps guard the magnet against impacts. Both are offered as complete setups for experienced users who want a powerful, ready-to-use block magnet.
Lower budget
If you do not want to spend top-tier money on your first fishing magnet, take a look at our Classic fishing magnets.
If you want to keep the price lower while still getting attraction from multiple directions, consider an X Line magnet such as the CUBE X™ or MEGACUBE X™.
The Pro Package also offers a strong balance between price and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of fishing magnets are there?
There are four types of fishing magnets: single-sided (Classic) fishing magnets, double-sided (Bulldog) fishing magnets, allround 360° cylinder fishing magnets, and allround 360° block fishing magnets. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on how and where you plan to fish.
What is the difference between a single-sided and a double-sided fishing magnet?
A single-sided fishing magnet is magnetic on one flat side, while a double-sided fishing magnet such as the Bulldog attracts metal from two flat sides. This increases the chance of making contact while dragging. The effective pulling force and behavior of a double-sided magnet also depend on which attachment point you use and how the magnet is oriented.
What is the difference between an allround cylinder and an allround block fishing magnet?
Both types attract metal from every direction, but their shapes are different. A cylindrical allround magnet such as the Terror Magnet® is round, while a block magnet such as the CUBE™ has a rectangular shape with flat sides. Those flat surfaces can give a block magnet more stable contact on uneven bottoms and against flat objects.
Is a ferrite magnet suitable for magnet fishing?
No. Ferrite magnets are considerably weaker than comparable neodymium magnets and are not the preferred choice for serious magnet fishing. They are often recognizable by their dark or black magnetic material. Purpose-built neodymium fishing magnets provide much stronger performance in a compact format.
What is the best fishing magnet for beginners?
The Hardcore Magnet® with 1,300 lb (600 kg) of combined pulling force is a versatile 360° option and is also available in the Pro Package and Girl Power Kit.